National and University Library "St. Kliment of Ohrid", National and academic library in Skopje, North Macedonia
The National and University Library "St. Kliment of Ohrid" is the main public and academic library of North Macedonia, located in central Skopje. The building contains separate reading rooms for general visitors and researchers, along with dedicated spaces for rare manuscripts and historical collections.
The library was founded in 1944, shortly after the formation of modern Yugoslavia, as a way to collect and protect the written heritage of the new republic. Over the following decades it grew steadily, taking on a central role in preserving documents for the whole country.
The library is named after Saint Kliment of Ohrid, a 9th-century scholar who helped spread literacy and the Glagolitic script across the region. His name on the building reflects how closely writing and learning are tied to the local sense of identity.
The building sits in central Skopje and is easy to reach on foot from most parts of the city center. Those wishing to consult rare or special collections should arrange access in advance, as those areas are not always open to walk-in visitors.
The library holds legal deposit status, meaning it receives a copy of every printed work published in North Macedonia by law. This makes it the only place in the country where every local book, newspaper, and periodical is systematically kept.
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